Parents blamed as 15-year-old daughter is arrested for abortion

Police in Jinja are holding a female juvenile whose identity has been concealed. 

According to security, this girl has been in a relationship with her boyfriend, whom they only call Roger. He is a sugarcane loader in his hometown of Budondo, Jinja’s northern division, Jinja City.

Preliminary findings show that Roger, 18, is a primary five dropout. He deceived the victim into dropping out of school and agreeing to marry him.

He is reported to have promised to take full responsibility for her life’s needs.

As a result, the victim conceived and has been living with her parents in Buwagi ward, Jinja northern division, Jinja City, with no support from her boyfriend Roger. 

On Thursday, September 12, the victim and a close friend named Moreen went to Kyomya Health Centre II for antenatal care. While at the health facility, the conversation shifted from seeking antenatal care to illegal abortion. 

Moreen allegedly provided the victim with local herbs, assuring the expectant juvenile that the herbs had no negative side effects. 

After the victim took the herbs, she experienced serious labour pains and later babies came out (Girl twins).

According to police, the pregnancy was 7 months old. Moreen proposed throwing those babies into the health facility’s 50-foot toilets. 

The victim returned to her parents’ home, but she began bleeding profusely, so she was rushed to Budondo Health Centre IV for medical attention and treatment.

A scan revealed that an illegal abortion was performed. That drew the attention of her parents and local leaders, prompting police action. 

According to police, the victim told the sad story of how her friend Moreen deceived her into having an abortion by claiming that the twins would suck her breasts, which would eventually become like “stockings” when she is still a teenager. 

She also stated that becoming a Nalongo in her teen years would mean losing the market for potential men in the future. 

Kira police region PRO, SP James Mubi confirmed the incident, stating that the Kiira regional fire brigade team responded to retrieve the foetuses. 

“Police critically observed under very clear visibility no babies have been seen nor a stinging smell coming out of the toilets, implying the foetuses were buried somewhere else,” he stated.

SP Mubi stated that the girl’s parents were aware of their daughter’s relationship and pregnancy with Roger. “It’s reported that they negotiated to conceal the information and settle the matter amicably. However, after the situation turned ugly it’s when they called upon police intervention.

 “These unlawful decisions and actions must stop immediately because nobody has the right to terminate the life of an unborn child unless on approved medical grounds. 

“Police are determined to arrest whoever was involved in the illegal process of carrying out abortion that’s to say before, during and after the act.”